For all the Saints (1 November)

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Feast Days commemorating the martyrs of the church have been celebrated since the fourth century. In the British Isles, such a day began to be observed on 1 November in the ninth century, and Pope Gregory IV extended the purpose of the day to commemorate all Christian people known and unknown, living and departed, not only martyrs.

Although All Saints Day is still celebrated on 1 November in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran churches and some other denominations, the Eastern churches celebrate All Saints on the first Sunday after Pentecost, and in the Coptic church it is celebrated on 11 September. All Saints Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on all those Christian people who have gone before us and now dwell in God’s heavenly kingdom.  It is a reminder of the hope that we and all living Christians share that when we depart this earth, we too will join the heavenly throng and be reunited with them.

All Saints Day, therefore, is a day to rejoice in the wonder of our salvation and the assurance of eternal life with God.

Grace and peace to you all.

Chris